System and Method for Range of Motion Analysis and Balance Training While Exercising

1. A system for range of motion analysis and balance training while exercising, comprising: an exercise machine; and a first sensor connected to or integrated into the exercise machine, and configured to detect the angle of a user's torso away from vertical; and at least one additional sensor connected to or integrated into the exercise machine configured to detect the range of motion of at least one portion of the user's body; and a range of motion analyzer, comprising at least a plurality of programming instructions stored in the memory of, and operating on at least one processor of, a computing device, wherein the plurality of programming instructions, when operating on the processor, cause the computing device to: receive data from the at least one additional sensor; receive or obtain statistical data regarding range of motion norms for people of different ages; receive or obtain stored user profile data for the current user of the compatible exercise machine; perform a plurality of analyses of the user's range of motion; create a profile of the user's range of motion relative to statistical norms, prior history, and the virtual reality or mixed reality environment associated with the user's exercise; display the results to the user in graphical or textual form; and a balance trainer, comprising at least a plurality of programming instructions stored in the memory of, and operating on at least one processor of, a computing device, wherein the plurality of programming instructions, when operating on the processor, cause the computing device to: receive data from the first sensor; calculate, based on the data from the first sensor and the rate of change of that data, when the user is likely to stumble or fall; and display a warning to the user in graphical or textual form to train the user to learn to anticipate and correct stumbles and falls.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the user's data is stored to track changes in range of motion and balance over time.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a computing device capable of rendering a virtual reality or mixed reality environment wherein the exercise machine, computing device, and the system are configured to operate in conjunction, providing exercise with a virtual reality or mixed reality environment and range of motion analysis and balance training.

4. A method for range of motion analysis and balance training while exercising, comprising the steps of: detecting and characterizing the angle of a user's torso away from vertical position, using a sensor and exercise machine; detecting and characterizing the range of motion of at least one portion of a user's body, using an additional sensor and an exercise machine; receiving or obtaining statistical data regarding range of motion norms for people of different ages, using a range of motion analyzer; receiving or obtaining stored user profile data for the current user of the compatible exercise machine, using a range of motion analyzer; performing a plurality of analyses of the user's range of motion, using a range of motion analyzer; creating a profile of the user's range of motion relative to statistical norms, prior history, and the virtual reality or mixed reality environment associated with the user's exercise, using a range of motion analyzer; displaying the results to the user in graphical or textual form; informing a user if they are likely to fall, based at least in part on data from the first sensor and the rate of change of that data, using a balance trainer and a first sensor; and displaying a warning to a user in graphical or textual form in order to improve a user's ability to anticipate and correct stumbles or falls through improved exercise form, using a balance trainer and display.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the user's data is stored to track changes in range of motion and balance over time.

6. The method of claim 4 , further comprising a computing device capable of rendering a virtual reality or mixed reality environment wherein the exercise machine, computing device, and the system are configured to operate in conjunction, providing exercise with a virtual reality or mixed reality environment and range of motion analysis and balance training.